Electric switch



Aug. 2, 193a Q's, GROSS 2,125,439

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed 001,. 15, 19:55

INVENTOR. I

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 2, 1938 Carl G. Gross,

mesne Delaware Mount Vernon, N. Y., asslgnor, by assignments, to American Metals, Inc., New York,

Machine and N. Y a corporation of Application. October 15, 1935, Serial No.' 45,611

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel and improved electrical switch.

Objects and advantages of the invention will beset iorth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities' and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, con-- struction, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described. I

The accompanying drawing, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description; serves to explain the principles of the invention.

or the drawing:

Figure l is a plan view, with certain parts broken away, of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2-1 of Figure 1; and,

Figure 3 isa fragmentary detailed section taken on the line 3-4 of Figure 2.

The present invention has for its object the provision or a novel and improved electrical switch adapted at commercial voltages, and to control the supply of current to a A further object is the provision of a simple, reliable and relatively inexpensive, multiple contact switch which is quick and positive in its opening or its contacts.

An illustrative switch of the present invention comprises a plurality of quick-acting, togglemounted contacts arranged in arcuate relation and cooperating with-an arcuate series of stationary, interconnected contacts, the two series of contacts being concentric with each other and with a rotatable toggle-actuating member which can be moved to individually control the position or the several toggle-mounted contacts.

It will be understood that the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed descrlption as well, are exemplary .and explanatory an illustrative 50.

of the invention but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail to the drawing showing embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a base member ll of insulating material on which aremounted in arcuate relation a plurality of movable contacts ll supported on toggles adapted to be moved into and out of tionary contacts I: which are arcuately to carry relatively heavy currents plurality of branch circuits.

contact witha similar number of sta-.

and concentrically with the contacts i I. A second insulating member i4 is spaced from the member l0. and heldin fixed relation thereto by means of the ,pillars i5,-with the toggles, and contacts between the members iii and M, and the insulating member It carries a shaft 16 to which is fastened a' rotatable cam I'I adapted to contact with the toggles and thereby move the contacts 'I l. I

The toggles for supporting and moving the contacts ll each comprisemore in detail, a ushaped bracket 20 secured in a recess 2| formed in the member I. by means of a terminal screw 22 and toggle arms 23 and 24 are pivotally mounted on bracket 20 by means of a pivot pin 25. At a distance from the pivot, arm 23 is formed with an outwardly extending ear 26, while arm M is similarly provided with a pair or inwardly extending ears 21. Ears 21 are apertured to receive the ends of a C-shaped wire I8, to the center of which is attached one end oi a spring 30 having its other end attached to the ear. The points of their respective ears to which the spring 30 and wire 28 are attached are so positioned that in the open position oi the switch the ears and these points overlap, while inthe circuit closing posttion these points are positionedapart from each other. At its upper end arm 23 carries the movable contact ii, while the upper end of the other arm is apertured to receive one end of the switch-opening spring 3!. The switch opening springs ii are all connected to a spider 32 surrounding the shaft it and journal it.

'For limiting the throwot the toggle wire 28, and also formaking a positive connection between the arm 23 and the terminal screw 22, laterally extending ears 33 extend from the sides of arm 23 to the end of which and terminal screws are connected the flexible conductors N. Ears 83 are notched, as at I! to receive andlimit the movement 01 the wire 28. a

The stationary contacts I! are mounted on a cylindrical cup 81 of conducting material which is; secured to the member II by means of a terminal screw 38 and is held against rotation by means of the studs ll projecting from member ll through corresponding apertures in the end wall of cup 31. The stationary contacts I! are so positioned relatively to each other and to the movable contacts I I that they contact with their respective con toggles are in circuit closing position.

For selectively and toggle mounted contacts H, a camming member I1 is mounted between the plates i0 and II and tions of the switch.

been closed by camming member l'i, while at the right the switch parts are shown as in open posimay be. turned by means of shaft I8 and knob II. The outer edge 01' cam ll ispreferably arcuate and is adapted to be moved into operative contact with the rounded knobs 42 mounted on the arms 24. As shown, cam l1 contacts with only a single knob 42 at a time and selectively and individually operates the switches. For definitely positioning the cam I 1 and holding it lightly against accidental movement, cam I1 is recessed as at I to receive a ball 45 which is pressed upwardly and into one of the depressions II by means or spring 41, each depression correspond-- ing to one switching position. v a Y Figure 2 of the drawing shows the two posi-' At the left, the switch has tiom The invention in its broader aspects is not ted to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures-may be, made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:-

1. A switching device including in combination a plurality of switches arranged in arcuate relation, each switch including a pair of contacts, one movable and one stationary, said-movable con tact being mounted on a pivoted arm actuated by snap mechanism, a cam rotatably mounted to move in a path concentric with the switches for selectively actuating the snap mechanism in one direction, a plurality of interconnected springs interconnecting said snap mechanism for actuating the snap mechanism in the other direction and a cylindrical cup concentric with the cam on which the stationary contacts are mounted and by which they are interconnected.

2. A switch comprising a plurality of pairs of contacts arranged in arcuate i'orm about an axis, one contact of each pair being mounted on an arcuate base, comprising a curved metallic munber serving as a common mounting means for said contacts, a pivoted arm and a snap mechanism for each pair the opposite contact of each pair being supported on the pivoted arm actuated by the snap mechanism, said snap mechanism being adapted to be actuated in one direction by a cam rotatably mounted about said axis, and additional radially disposed springs adapted to actuate the snap mechanism in the opposite direction upon disengagement of said cam from said snap mechanism, said curved metallic member beingcup-shaped and a single terminal arranged at one portion of said cup, whereby the same establishes a circuit to all of the contacts arranged on said metallic member and further serves as a securing means for said member.

,- CARL G. GROSS. 

